Partner
Car accidents can be life-altering events, often resulting in serious injuries such as broken bones— injuries that can have a significant physical, emotional, and financial impact on accident victims and their families. If you’ve suffered fractures due to someone else’s negligence on the road, you may be entitled to compensation. Here’s what you need to know to pursue your claim effectively and efficiently.
Legal Rights After a Car Accident in Syracuse
As a car accident victim in New York, you have the right to seek compensation for your injuries, including broken bones. New York follows a “no-fault” insurance system, which means that your own insurance company will cover some of your medical expenses and lost wages, regardless of who was at fault. However, broken bones entitle you to step outside the no-fault system and pursue additional compensation from the at-fault party.
Types of Damages Available
If someone else is responsible for causing the car accident that resulted in your fractures, you may be eligible for damages to compensate you for your:
- Medical Expenses: This includes costs for emergency room visits, surgeries, hospital stays, medications, physical therapy, and any future medical care related to your broken bones.
- Lost Wages: If your broken bones prevent you from working, you can claim compensation for lost income, including future earning capacity should your injuries result in long-term disability.
- Pain and Suffering: This non-economic damage compensates you for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by your injuries.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If your broken bones prevent you from engaging in activities you once enjoyed, you may be entitled to compensation for this loss.
- Property Damage: You can also seek compensation for damage to your vehicle and other personal property.
The Role of Insurance Companies
After a car accident, you’ll likely deal with both your own insurance company and the at-fault driver’s insurer. It’s important to remember that insurance companies are businesses focused on minimizing payouts and maximizing profits. They may try to undervalue your claim or pressure you into accepting a quick settlement that doesn’t fully cover your expenses.
This is where having experienced legal representation becomes crucial. Your lawyer can handle all communications with insurance companies on your behalf, protecting your rights and seeking fair compensation for your broken bones and other injuries.
The Importance of Legal Representation
The complexities of car accident claims, especially those involving serious injuries like broken bones, can be overwhelming. Here’s how an experienced personal injury attorney can help:
- Evaluating Your Case: Your lawyer can assess the strength of your case and determine the full extent of compensation you may be entitled to.
- Gathering Evidence: Next, the attorney can collect and preserve crucial evidence to support your claim, including medical records, accident reports, and witness statements.
- Negotiating with Insurers: Your lawyer will have extensive experience negotiating with insurance companies to secure fair settlements without the need for a trial.
- Litigating Your Case: If the insurers won’t make you a fair settlement, your lawyer is prepared to take your case to court and advocate for your rights before a judge and jury.
Steps to Take After a Car Accident
Here are some important steps you can take to protect your right to compensation for broken bones sustained in a car accident:
- Report the accident to the police and your insurance company.
- Document the accident scene with photos and gather contact information from witnesses.
- Seek immediate medical attention.
- Keep detailed records of all medical treatments and expenses related to your injuries.
- Avoid giving recorded statements to insurance companies without legal representation.
- Contact an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
Contact Our Syracuse & Central New York Car Accident Lawyer
The car accident lawyers at CDH Law, PLLC, are committed to helping car accident victims in Syracuse and throughout Central New York secure the compensation they deserve for broken bones and other injuries. Contact us today for a free consultation about your case, and let’s demand justice together.
Carden Dotzler Hammond, PLLC represents clients in Syracuse, Central New York, and in the following towns and villages of Onondaga County: Camillus, Cicero, Clay, Dewitt, Elbridge, Geddes, Manlius, Marcellus, Onondaga, Salina, Skaneateles, Baldwinsville, East Syracuse, Fayetteville, Jefferson County, Liverpool, North Syracuse, and Solvay.